Coleen Kwan

I'm happy to report that I've recently signed a three book contract with Entangled Publishing for their Bliss line! My first book is slated for a November release, with the next two coming out in 2013. This is the first time I've sold books based on their synopses, and it made me realise how important it is to write a good synopsis!

It's also the first time I'm writing to contracted deadlines, which comes with its own new pressures. I'm tracking my daily word count now to make sure I don't run short of time. I also need to factor in time for holidays, editing other books, and promotion. Time management has become even more important.

Entangled Bliss publish uplifting, heartwarming stories. The focus is on family, home, a strong sense of community, and ultimately happiness, but the tone can be anything from snarky to emotional to nostalgic and everything in between. See Entangled Publishing's website for the latest Bliss releases.

Whenever I receive a revision letter from an editor, I experience a moment of panic. The revisions seem so drastic, so difficult. I can't possibly see how I'll manage them or get them done on time. I think part of the problem is I'm too attached to the manuscript I submitted. I've laboured over it to the point that in my mind this is the final product, not to be tampered with.

But I've learned that the panic is only momentary. My manuscript should be dissected. And words are just words. I'll survive if I cut out a few thousand. I can write a few thousand new ones. And once I jump in and start shoving things around, I see how right my editor is, how spot on her comments are, and I begin to breathe easier. I can do this. It's only words.